Entebbe, Uganda – The President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and operational licence agreement between the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Starlink at State House, Entebbe. The agreement marks a major milestone paving the way for Starlink’s official entry into Uganda’s telecommunications and internet services sector.
The agreement was signed by the Executive Director of UCC, Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo, alongside Starlink/SpaceX representatives Mr. Ryan Goodnight. Star link now establishes a regulatory framework for operations in Uganda, including requirements for a national gateway, a physical presence in the country, and an operational office to ensure compliance, service delivery, and oversight. UCC also issued the necessary certification to guide Starlink’s rollout within Uganda’s regulatory standards.
President Museveni welcomed the development, noting that Uganda’s priority remains strengthening security, revenue assurance, and accountability within the telecom sector. He emphasised the importance of clear oversight of telecommunications operations and customer systems as the sector expands. Government officials, including the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, highlighted that the agreement followed extensive negotiations to ensure compliance with national regulatory requirements while promoting digital inclusion.
Starlink representatives described the agreement as a significant step toward expanding affordable internet access in Uganda and supporting the country’s digital economy. Mr. Goodnight expressed commitment to working closely with government institutions, noting that the partnership is expected to reduce internet costs, improve connectivity, and expand access to underserved communities. He further indicated plans to support key sectors such as education and health through internet connectivity donations to selected institutions.
The agreement also reflects Uganda’s broader strategy to expand digital infrastructure while safeguarding national interests. Government officials emphasised that the licensing framework ensures proper registration of devices, local operational capacity, and regulatory compliance. The event was attended by senior government officials, including Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Robie Kakonge, marking a strong diplomatic and policy-driven step toward enhancing Uganda’s ICT landscape and digital transformation agenda.
UCC Executive Director George Nyombi Thembo, and Starlink/SpaceX’s Ryan Goodnight after signing the MoU
